8. What are we listening to...

The second sense i want to cover is our hearing...what a great gift from God our hearing is.  For some reason we allow ourselves to be subjected to foul language and poor conversation, programs and shows with themes that are negative and destroying and music that brings on depression.  Our prayer space....our homes....our workplace...our car need to be places of Light...with audio that is beautiful and uplifting to help us maintain our prayer connection with God.  Music is one of my ministries and the songs and lyrics we listen to affect who we are.  There are two Christian radio stations in our area that are marvelous.  Their music is safe for the little ones in us and continue to be uplifting and elevating to the heart and mind.  They are Klove 96.7 FM and Star 99.1FM both of these numbers are for the NYC area.  You can look them up online.  The music is modern and very positive.  Put this on wherever you are and after a while you will know all the songs and start to sing along.  Their shows are aimed at inspiring belief  in God and His Power and Love.  We must fight day to day to support the Joy of the Lord and the reality of His Existence.  Remember "THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH!"  Why shouldn't we surround ourselves with great audio...This goes for our TV shows, movies, plays, and people we spend time with....."Oh be careful little ears what you hear..."  We use our computers and phones for everything except finding the alternative to what the society continues to try and push as 'norm'.  Some great Christian musicians i like are Michael W. Smith Worship albums, Matthew West, Matt Maher, Gaithers Band  David Phelps, Larnelle Harris, Israel and the New Breed....etc.  Look some up on YouTube...rejoice in your God!  Dance and sing unto Him as the Psalms encourage us to.  And find people who you can call your 'tribe'.  Those who have similar beliefs like you have and talk...sit around a table and share the goodness of God!  Those who are saved by the Blood of Jesus...and sometimes a few might be your blood relatives too.

And don't forget that hearing means listening means we need silence too.  i went to a monastery just this past Thursday and the silence in that chapel was 'delicious'.  We have noise all the time around us fighting for our attention and burdening our brain causing stress upon stress.  Get time alone with God in silence to rest the senses and 'hear' from Him in a way that exceeds what the senses can handle but we must quiet ourselves to reach a higher plain in our spiritual journeys.  People often say they wish they had some of the spiritual experiences i have encountered but refuse to work at it and be creative in finding their God.  The media continues to demand our attention.....fight hard to resist and quiet yourselves.  You will then hear 'sounds' and see 'things' you can't imagine or experience in this natural world.  These extraordinary experiences  are not aimed at a small select group.  It is available to all of us if we continue to "CHASE HIM".

Remember i am praying for you always.  God wants you and i to flourish.  And as we find more of Him and change our approach in the littlest ways, we will find ourselves more peaceful, happier, more stable,...able to better our relationships and become "The best version of ourselves".

Remember JESUS is the Only Reason for this season....He is the One who deserves presents, so simplify this Holy Season.  Turn all your efforts toward Him and show those around you how these Holy Seasons should be lived ....with God as the Center of it all!   May He be Praised, Adored, and Loved by all ....The only 'decoration' we need for Christmas is Him!!!

We will cover the sense of touch next time to complete this topic....All eyes and ears on Him.... and find time for silence....til next time....1Kings 19 The Lord speaking to Elijah

11 Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake;12after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound. (often referred to as a whisper)

13When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.A voice said to him, Why are you here, Elijah?"